In the Amidon’s book & CD ‘Fifty-five Anthems for the Small Church Choir‘. Sung here by the Friends-of-the-Amidons singers, Mary Alice Amidon soloist. we learned this great spiritual/Christmas carol from Lisa Neustadt, a wonderful gospel singer from the Boston area. I am sure the verses were originally improvisatory, so go ahead and improvise some of your own. You can have one singer learn the solo part and teach the rest of the singers the chorus quickly from music or by ear. Here is Odetta’s version of the spiritual.
LYRICS
Shout for Joy
traditional
Mary Had a baby, (Shout for joy)
Mary had a baby. (Shout for joy)
She had him in a stable, (Shout for joy)
She laid him in a manger. (Shout for joy)
She had him in a stable, (Shout for joy)
She laid him in a manger. (Shout for joy)
Well there were angels watching over him, (Shout for joy)
And named him King Jesus. (Shout for joy)
CHORUS
He was the Prince of Peace, (He was the Prince of Peace)
He was a mighty counselor, (He was a mighty counselor)
King of kings, on Christmas, in the morning.
Wo Lord, shout for joy;
Oh Lord, shout for joy.
Oh Lord, shout for joy;
Oh Lord, shout for joy.
Now Herod heard the news…
Herod heard the news…
Well he sent some soldiers after ’em…
But the soldiers couldn’t find ’em…
Well the soldiers couldn’t find ’em…
Because they ran away to Egypt…
They ran away to Egypt…
And there were angels watching over them…
Well Mary rode a donkey…
And Joseph walked beside her…
Well there were angels watching over them…
They named him King Jesus…
Oh Mary had a baby…
She laid him in a stable…
She laid him in a manger…
She named him King Jesus…